This week I had the chance to interview the Captain of Separate Intelligence, Danka Arrow. Danka Arrow ranks 7th All-Time in kills and 29th in All-Time K/D on Grifball.com.

Green Team Tex: What has it been like to be the captain of one of the most prestigious teams in Grifball?

Danka Arrow: It’s been an honor to be the captain of a team with the prestige mine has. Any player that has been on SI has been picked solely for how they interact with us and the community. Everyone on the team is on good terms with everyone else. That’s why we’ve been able to stay around for so long. Oh, except for Zeg. We only got him because he pulls host.

Green Team Tex: What troubles have you and your team had to overcome? (I.E. bad attitudes, people not doing what they are supposed to, etc.)

Danka Arrow: My team has had its fair share of problems. Some of them have been with certain players (dating back with Gambs from the original SI) to some other ones. For the most part, the players on SI are always respectful to their teammates and the communities, so we’ve been able to avoid many problems other teams have encountered.

Green Team Tex: How have you handled these said instances if any?

Danka Arrow: I am a big proponent of everyone on the team having an equal voice. Anyone who has a problem (while they’re on SI) is expected to voice their complaint to the team or player involved, and we’ll work it out. This hasn’t failed very much.

Green Team Tex: How do you prepare your team for a big game?

Danka Arrow: For a big game I will usually try to get the entire team online, even those who may not be starting. We’ll usually scrimmage whoever we can up until 15-20 minutes before the game. At this point, we’ll go mess around in the GB gametype to just have some fun and relax. And to test Zeg’s bridge.

Green Team Tex: Does your team practice often?

Danka Arrow: I think our practice schedule usually depends on the time of season. We will rarely have scrimmage nights, but we will often sign up to be a part of others. We’ve been using H3P as practice recently (like everyone else). Other than that, we’ll just practice if we have 3-4 players online at the same time and don’t feel like playing MLG (or suck, like Zeg).

Green Team Tex: What could you suggest to other captains to help them become as successful as yours?

Danka Arrow: Make sure you pick your teammates based on their personality. I know it sounds weird for an online game, but it’s true. You have to like your teammates, and they have to like each other. If not, grifball won’t be fun and you’ll never want to play. If the person isn’t someone you’d be seen with in real life, don’t pick them up. Unless they pull host.

Green Team Tex: How are you liking the Pro league thus far?

Danka Arrow: I am loving the Pro League. Every game for my team has been an intense 40+ minute battle. This is how I wish grifball had been for the last year. I hope the competition extends for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

Green Team Tex: In your opinion, who would you say the best player in Grifball is?

Danka Arrow: Outside of my team, I’d have to pick two players to share this title, Doc and Shadow. Both will consistently go positive off-host and have an understanding for the game. It’s not difficult to run behind them.

Green Team Tex: How could Grifball be improved? (If possible)

Danka Arrow: As of right now, I just wish there were more teams in the league. Because of a lack of teams, Rookie and Legacy had to be combined into Regacy (or Amateur, whatever), which has created a huge skill gap between some teams. It’s unfortunate that this had to happen when the Pro League was established because that was going to make games so much better all around, and has instead lessened the experience for the newer teams.

Green Team Tex: What do you enjoy most about Grifball?

Danka Arrow: I just love playing with my teammates. I have never had more fun playing grifball than when everyone else in the game is having fun. For instance, I decided last season that I was going to calm down in-game and have more fun this season. And, because I took Grifball less seriously, I did. You have the most fun when you learn to combine the intensity of a close game with the enjoyment of MatchMaking.

Green Team Tex: What is the funniest moment you have had in Grifball?

Danka Arrow: Interestingly enough, the funniest moment I have had in grifball occurred only a few nights ago in my teams game against Cheap Ass Gamers. During the second round of the new network test, their entire team walked over to the Grifball man on their home court and bowed their heads. Without even thinking, my team followed suit. For 45 seconds, we had 8 players all bowing their heads to the Grifball gods. Then SpudH3ad killed everyone on both teams.

Green Team Tex: How do you get started in Grifball?

Danka Arrow: I was one of the first people to ever play the variation of grifball that first used hammers. Kroze GG introduced me to the game, and I was constantly annoying him to get on and start a game from that moment on. One day, Gambs (from the channel #SI on the same IRC as is used now for grifball) said he was going to make a team for the Grifball Winter League, so I signed up along with Adam Pisani and another SI member. It’s been amazing to witness and partake in the transformation grifball has undergone in this short year.

Green Team Tex: Finally, what message would you like to send to the Grifball community?

Danka Arrow: To anyone just getting into Grifball, keep with it. Your team may not do well in its inaugural season, but you will do much better the longer you play. It’s amazing to see the changes that occur over one or two seasons. However, if you’re not having fun now, make sure to change something. Whether it be your team or your attitude, you need to make sure you are having fun playing grifball. If you’re not, I can guarantee you won’t last very long in this league.